Dgft

DGFT go-ahead for 7 firms to import 642 cars from UK under free trade pact

The commerce ministry's arm DGFT has approved applications of seven companies for the import of 642 cars for the remainder of this year from Britain under the tariff rate quota provisions of the India-UK free trade agreement, an official said on Wednesday. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in July invited applications for the allocation of 2026 import quotas for fully-built passenger cars and goods vehicles under the duty concession provisions of the agreement. The applications were sought for a quota for about 5,000 units. "The directorate had received applications from eight companies. We have approved applications of seven. Quota has been approved for 642 cars," the official said. Under the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), which came into effect on July 15, New Delhi has allowed the import of a total of 3.78 lakh units of conventional-engine passenger cars, including those in the mass segment, from the UK at a concessional customs duty ...

DGFT should review notification aligning ITC(HS) code with Finance Act 2026

The real test is whether a bank can refuse to close an otherwise eligible entry merely because the customer disputes or declines to pay the charge.

Commerce ministry plans central processing dept for faceless trade system

The commerce ministry has decided to set up a central processing department in the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) to implement a faceless trade facilitation system, a move aimed at promoting ease of doing business for exporters and importers. According to an office memorandum of the DGFT, the Central Processing Department (CPD) will act as a central unit for processing of trade-related applications. It will be located at the central licensing area in Delhi. "The system is proposed to be dedicated to the nation during the second fortnight of October 2026," it said. The faceless trade facilitation is a key initiative of of the government which is aimed at enabling faceless, paperless and jurisdiction-free processing of trade-related applications. It would help reduce processing time, enhance transparency and improve ease of doing business for exporters and importers. As many as 53 DGFT officers from Delhi and regional centres have been posted or transferred to the ...

Decoding DGFT's INR settlement rules and Customs re-export deadlines

DGFT's latest notification aligns INR export proceeds with foreign-currency realisation, while Customs clarifies when the six-month re-export clock begins

Parliamentary panel seeks early India-US bilateral trade agreement

The Parliamentary panel urged an early India-US trade pact while seeking exemptions from future US tariff hikes and stronger safeguards for Indian exporters

Foreign etailers told to set up separate export-only units in India

The DGFT has notified a framework requiring foreign-owned e-commerce firms to create separate legal entities for inventory-based exports of Indian-made goods under the revised FDI policy

SME chatroom: Clearing doubts on deferred Customs duty and PVC import curbs

Key compliance clarifications on using RoDTEP scrips for deferred customs duty and MIP rules for PVC imports under the Advance Authorisation scheme.

Centre shifts export strategy, aims to give state govts bigger role

Plan comes at a time when WTO urged India to address structural challenges

India plans to ease export procedures for shipments worth up to ₹10,000

Exporters sending goods worth up to ₹10,000 may no longer need an RCMC to apply for authorisations or claim benefits under the Foreign Trade Policy

India prohibits import of goods produced using forced labour amid US probe

India has prohibited imports of goods made using forced labour, issuing its first such notification as the US considers tariffs under a Section 301 investigation

Govt's collateral-free export credit scheme finds limited takers

Only 140 exporters have registered for collateral-free export credit under EPM since January, highlighting weak uptake of the MSME-focused guarantee scheme

For SEZ 2.0 policy, shift focus from concessions to better governance

As the Centre reviews export promotion schemes, experts call for SEZ 2.0 reforms and shifting SEZ policy oversight to DGFT to better align with India's trade framework

Govt restricts 99.9% silver bar imports, permit now mandatory for category

Under the revised policy, imports of silver bars containing 99.9 per cent or more silver by weight, as well as other silver bars under specific HS codes, will now require authorisation

Gold imports under advance authorisation capped at 100 kg per licence

Importers must fulfil 50 per cent export obligation before fresh licences as government tightens gold import monitoring norms

Govt belatedly lists major banks authorised to import gold and silver

List of 17 banks valid until March 2029; delay briefly disrupted bullion mkt

India restricts glufosinate imports for six months with price cap

The government on Monday imposed curbs on imports of Glufosinate and its salts, a herbicide used in agriculture sector, for six months. "The import of Glufosinate and its salts... shall be restricted where the combined amount of the CIF (cost, insurance, freight) value and applicable anti-dumping duty, calculated on a per kilogram basis, is less than Rs 1,154," the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said in a notification. It said the restriction will be in place for six months.

Govt cuts duty benefits for exporters under RoDTEP scheme by 50%

The government on Monday halved the rate of duty benefits under the export support scheme, RoDTEP, prompting the exporting community to seek a reconsideration of the decision. The Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products (RoDTEP) Scheme, launched in 2021, provides for a refund of taxes, duties and levies that are incurred by exporters in the process of manufacturing and distribution of goods, and are not being reimbursed under any other mechanism at the Centre, state or local level. With immediate effect, the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) said, the applicable RoDTEP rates shall be limited to 50 per cent of the existing rates. Refunds under the scheme range from 0.3 per cent to 3.9 per cent. "RoDTEP benefits shall be restricted to 50 per cent of the notified rates and value caps with immediate effect," the DGFT said in a notification. Commenting on the move, Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) President S C Ralhan said the reduction of rates and

Export Promotion Mission thoughtfully structured; impact uncertain

DGFT rolls out Export Promotion Mission guidelines and seeks feedback on digital trade reforms, signalling intent to boost exports, though impact will hinge on execution

Govt moves to curb cheap penicillin-based drug imports for 1 year

Centre imposes one-year minimum import price on key penicillin inputs to check Chinese dumping and protect domestic bulk drug manufacturing

Steel minimum import price: SC overturns 2018 Delhi High Court order

The Supreme Court has ruled that minimum import price curbs on steel products take effect only from the date of gazette publication, granting relief to importers who entered contracts before the notif